Systems and methods for blocking excessive transmitter message signaling

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to transmitting assistance information from a first node to a second node. In one embodiment, a first node includes a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. In response to transmitting a preference indicator for a first configuration to a second node via the wireless transmitter or receiving a reconfiguration request associated with the preference indicator for the first configuration, the first node starts a timer set to a value that defines an amount of time before the first node is permitted to transmit a preference indicator for a second configuration to the second node. The first node then blocks transmission of the preference indicator for the second configuration to the second node until the timer has expired. In this manner, excessive signaling of preference indicators from the first node to the second node is avoided.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/896,801, filed May 17, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,445,364, whichclaims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No.61/678,791, filed Aug. 2, 2012, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to signaling of assistance informationfrom a wireless transmitter to a wireless receiver and more specificallyrelates to blocking excessive signaling of assistance information from awireless transmitter to a wireless receiver.

BACKGROUND

There are many scenarios in which a wireless device may frequently sendmessages to another wireless device to indicate a changing preferencefor a particular configuration for a connection between the wirelessdevices. One such scenario is within the context of a work item onenhancements for Diverse Data Applications (eDDA) in 3rd GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) Radio Access Network (RAN) Work Group 2(WG2), which is referred to as 3GPP RAN2.

Efficient power consumption is one of the important characteristics of awireless device (e.g., a User Equipment (UE), which is sometimesreferred to as a user element) in a cellular communications network. Intoday's digital world, wireless devices tend to be always “connected” tothe cellular communications network especially due to the popularity ofsocial networking applications. These applications are usuallydelay-tolerant as opposed to other applications, such as video telephonyor web browsing, that have traffic with delay-sensitive characteristics.Social networking applications generate intermittent packettransmissions that are usually small in size yet invoke procedures whichprompt relatively high energy consumption. Hence, social networkingapplications may cause an inconvenient user experience due to the needto frequently recharge the battery of the wireless device (i.e., morethan once per day).

3GPP has been developing the specifications on the Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), which includes Long TermEvolution (LTE) concepts. In RAN2, a Work Item (WI) on eDDA has beencreated in LTE Release 11 (Rel-11) to identify and specify mechanismsthat can enhance the ability of LTE to handle diverse traffic profilessuch as those of social networking applications. The objective of thisWI is to identify improvements that can increase the network efficiency,extend UE battery lifetime, reduce signaling overhead, and enhance userexperience and system performance under such traffic loads.

One of the focus areas is to change the UE behavior to reduce the powerconsumption of the UE when possible. In previous releases of the LTEspecifications, timers were introduced to enable switching fromCONNECTED to IDLE mode once the timers expire and when there is no datato send. Further, a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) mode was introducedfor LTE in 3GPP standards to conserve battery power when the UE remainsin CONNECTED mode. There is a wide range of configuration sets availablefor the DRX parameters which can be utilized for different types ofservices, e.g., Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), gaming, webbrowsing, and video telephony. DRX configuration is set by a basestation, or eNodeB (eNB). However, there may be scenarios in which theUE has information that is not available at the base station that may bebeneficial when setting the DRX configuration for the UE. As such, thereis a need for systems and methods for signaling such information fromthe UE to the base station.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to transmitting assistance informationfrom a first node to a second node. In particular, systems and methodsare disclosed for transmitting assistance information from a first nodeto a second node while avoiding excessive signaling. In one embodiment,a first node includes a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. Inresponse to transmitting a preference indicator for a firstconfiguration to a second node via the wireless transmitter or receivinga reconfiguration request associated with the preference indicator forthe first configuration, the first node starts a timer set to a valuethat defines an amount of time before the first node is permitted totransmit a preference indicator for a second configuration to the secondnode. The first node then blocks transmission of the preferenceindicator for the second configuration to the second node until thetimer has expired. In this manner, excessive signaling of preferenceindicators from the first node to the second node is avoided.

In one embodiment, the first node is a wireless device configured tooperate in a cellular communications network, and the second node is abase station of the cellular communications network. Still further, inone embodiment, the preference indicator for the first configuration isa preference indicator for a normal power configuration, and thepreference indicator for the second configuration is a preferenceindicator for a power efficient configuration.

In one embodiment, a wireless device configured to operate in a cellularcommunications network operates to initiate an assistance informationprocedure and perform the assistance information procedure to determinewhether to block or initiate transmission of assistance informationincluding a preference indicator for a desired power configuration to abase station of the cellular communications network. In one embodiment,performing the assistance information procedure includes determiningwhether the preference indicator for the desired power configuration isdifferent than a most recent preference indicator transmitted by thewireless device to the base station. If so, the wireless devicedetermines whether a timer has expired. In one embodiment, the timer isset to a value that defines an amount of time that must expire beforetransmission of the assistance information including the preferenceindicator for the desired power configuration and is started in responseto transmitting the most recent preference indicator to the basestation. If the timer has not expired, the wireless device blockstransmission of the assistance information including the preferenceindicator for the desired power configuration. If the timer has expired,the wireless device initiates transmission of the assistance informationincluding the preference indicator for the desired power configuration.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the presentdisclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments inassociation with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part ofthis specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates the operation of a node including a wirelesstransmitter and a wireless receiver to avoid excessive signaling ofassistance information to a second node according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of a node including a wirelesstransmitter and a wireless receiver to avoid excessive signaling ofassistance information to a second node according to another embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a base station of a cellular communications networkand a wireless device, wherein the wireless device operates to avoidexcessive signaling of assistance information to the base stationaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the wireless device of FIG. 3 toavoid excessive signaling of assistance information to the base stationaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the wireless device of FIG. 3 toavoid excessive signaling of assistance information to the base stationvia an assistance information procedure according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart that illustrates the assistance informationprocedure of FIG. 5 according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart that illustrates a transmission process initiatedby the assistance information procedure of FIG. 6 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the wireless device of FIG. 3 according toone embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the base station of FIG. 3 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments andillustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading thefollowing description in light of the accompanying drawing figures,those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosureand will recognize applications of these concepts not particularlyaddressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts andapplications fall within the scope of the disclosure and theaccompanying claims.

The present disclosure relates to transmitting assistance informationfrom a first node to a second node. In particular, systems and methodsare disclosed for transmitting assistance information from a first nodeto a second node while avoiding excessive signaling. Before discussingembodiments of the present disclosure, a brief discussion of one problemaddressed by the embodiments disclosed herein is beneficial. In manyscenarios, it may be beneficial for a first node having a wirelesstransmitter and a wireless receiver to send information to a second nodehaving a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver to signal a changein a preference of the first node related to a wireless connectionbetween the first and second nodes. However, frequently transmittinginformation containing the preference(s) of the first node to the secondnode may cause excessive signaling in a corresponding wireless network.It is beneficial or, in some cases, necessary to avoid such excessivesignaling in order for the wireless network to utilize its resourcesmore efficiently and thus provide a better service experience to itsusers. Thus, as discussed below in detail, embodiments disclosed hereinprovide mechanisms by which preference information, or any other type ofassistance information, can be communicated from the first node to thesecond node while avoiding excessive signaling.

One particular wireless network in which excessive signaling ofassistance information may occur is in cellular communications networksoperating according to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Release 11 (Rel-11)and subsequent specifications. More specifically, the extension ofwireless device, or User Equipment or User Element (UE), batterylifetime is considered to be a challenge in the Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) consisting of LTE and SystemArchitecture Evolution (SAE) concepts. Enhanced Discontinuous Reception(DRX) mode is introduced for LTE in 3^(rd) Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP) standards to conserve battery power when the wirelessdevice is in CONNECTED mode. There are a wide range of configurationsets available for the DRX parameters, which can serve for differenttypes of services, e.g., gaming, web browsing, and video telephony. DRXconfiguration is normally set by a base station, or eNodeB (eNB).However, there may be scenarios in which the wireless device hasinformation that is not available at the base station. For example, thewireless device may have information that indicates that a user of thewireless device prefers delay-tolerant operation for a longer batterylife. This information could assist the base station in deciding whichDRX configuration to use for the wireless device. Therefore, suchinformation, hereafter referred to as assistance information, isconsidered useful to the base station. Notably, as used herein,“assistance information” is any information known to a first node thatthat is considered useful to a second node. In one preferred embodiment,assistance information is information that is indicative of a preferencefor DRX settings that indicates a wireless device's, or UE's,willingness for delay-sensitive or delay-tolerant operation and thus itspower preference.

While the transmission of assistance information, such as a powerpreference, from a first node to a second node is considered beneficialfor enhancing a battery lifetime of the first node, the inventors havefound that excessive signaling of assistance information may occur dueto frequent change of preferences if triggering is left to the firstnode for implementation and no mechanism is provided to block excessivesignaling of assistance information. Excessive signaling may result notonly in an increase in power consumption at the first node but also inpoor service quality for other nodes in the cellular communicationsnetwork due to signaling overload in the second node. As such, there isa need for mechanisms to avoid such excessive signaling in order to beable to benefit from the battery lifetime gain resulting from thesignaling of the assistance information to the base station. At the sametime, it is also important to allow the first node to indicate to thesecond node that its preference has changed in a timely manner, which isparticularly important when the first node starts using delay-sensitiveservices or applications.

Notably, transmissions of assistance information may be limited using atimer similar to the network configured timer (T323) in Wideband CodeDivision Multiple Access (WCDMA) cellular communications networks. Amechanism has been specified for WCDMA in 3GPP Technical Specification(TS) 25.331 that requires the expiration of a receiver configured timerbefore releasing the signaling connection rather than just releasing thesignaling connection when the wireless device desires. In WCDMA, thistimer is configurable by the cellular communications network and isavailable in the system broadcast. Once the timer expires, the wirelessdevice can send a signaling connection release indication message.

In WDCMA, all preference indicator messages to be sent by the wirelessdevice, regardless of their sensitivity to delay, must wait for the sameamount of time to expire. However, the inventors have found that somepreference indicators may be associated with delay-sensitive operationsand therefore need to be transmitted sooner than other preferenceindicators. For instance, in LTE, a DRX power preference indicator for anormal, or default, power configuration may be delay sensitive (i.e.,intolerant to delay) whereas a DRX power preference indicator for apower efficient configuration may be delay insensitive (i.e., tolerantto delay). Thus, switching from a delay tolerant (i.e., power efficient)operation to a delay sensitive operation should be prioritized comparedto switching from a delay sensitive operation to a delay tolerantoperation. As such, as discussed below, embodiments of the presentdisclosure avoid excessive signaling utilizing a timer that can be setto different values depending on the content of the assistanceinformation to be transmitted.

In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates the operation of a node 10 to signalassistance information to a node 12 in a manner that avoids excessivesignaling according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thenode 10 includes a wireless transmitter (TX) 14 and a wireless receiver(RX) 16. Likewise, the node 12 includes a wireless transmitter 18 and awireless receiver 20. As discussed below, in one embodiment, the node 10is a wireless device (e.g., a UE) in a cellular communications network,and the node 12 is a base station of the cellular communicationsnetwork. However, the nodes 10 and 12 are not limited thereto. Rather,the nodes 10 and 12 are any type of devices in any type of wirelessnetwork in which transmission of assistance information from the node 10to the node 12 is beneficial. Again, the assistance information isgenerally any information known to the node 10 that is beneficial to thenode 12. In one embodiment, the assistance information is informationknown to the node 10 that is beneficial to the node 12 when configuringa wireless connection between the nodes 10 and 12. Still further, in oneparticular embodiment, the assistance information is or includes apreference indicator for a power configuration for the wirelessconnection between the node 10 and the node 12. For example, thepreference indicator may be a preference indicator for a normal powerconfiguration or a preference indicator for a power efficientconfiguration. As one particular example, the preference indicator maybe a preference indicator for a normal power configuration for a DRXmode of operation of the node 10 or a preference indicator for a powerefficient configuration for the DRX mode of operation of the node 10.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the assistance information is a preferenceindicator for a desired configuration (e.g., a desired powerconfiguration) for a wireless connection between the nodes 10 and 12. Asillustrated, the node 10 transmits a preference indicator for a firstconfiguration (preference indicator 1) to the node 12 via the wirelesstransmitter 14 of the node 10 (step 1000). The first configuration is afirst configuration (e.g., a normal power configuration) for a wirelessconnection between the nodes 10 and 12. While not illustrated, the node12 utilizes the preference indicator from the node 10 to decide whetherto reconfigure the wireless connection. Note, however, that the node 12does not necessarily reconfigure the wireless connection in response toreception of the preference indicator. The decision of the node 12 maybe made based on additional factors.

In response to transmitting the preference indicator for the firstconfiguration to the node 12, the node 10 starts a timer that is set toa value that defines an amount of time that must expire before the node10 is permitted to transmit a preference indicator for a secondconfiguration (preference indicator 2) to the node 12 (step 1002). Thesecond configuration is a second configuration (e.g., a power efficientconfiguration) for the wireless connection between the nodes 10 and 12.The value to which the timer is set can vary depending on the particularimplementation. In general, the value for the timer may be any valuegreater than or equal to zero. However, in one preferred embodiment, thevalue to which the timer is set is inversely related to a delaysensitivity of operations associated with the second configuration. Inother words, in one preferred embodiment, the value to which the timeris set is a function of the preference indicator for which the node 10is to block transmission until the timer has expired. As an example, ifthe second configuration is a power efficient configuration associatedwith operations which are delay insensitive (or delay tolerant), thenthe value to which the timer is set may be large (i.e., larger than avalue that would be used for a normal power configuration). As oneparticular example, the value for the timer for the preference indicatorfor the second configuration where the second configuration isassociated with delay insensitive operations may be tens or hundreds ofseconds.

Once the timer is started, the node 10 then blocks transmission of thepreference indicator for the second configuration to the node 12 untilthe timer started in step 1002 has expired (step 1004). Morespecifically, events at the node 10 can trigger an attempt to transmitthe preference indicator for the second configuration. For example, ifthe second configuration is a power efficient configuration, a user ofthe node 10 may place the node 10 in a power efficient mode. Inresponse, the node 10 may attempt to transmit the preference indicatorfor the power efficient configuration for the wireless connection to thenode 12. If the timer started in step 1002 has not expired, the node 10blocks transmission of the preference indicator for the power efficientconfiguration. In this manner, excessive signaling of preferenceindicators from the node 10 to the node 12 is prevented. At some point,after the timer has expired, the node 10 transmits the preferenceindicator for the second configuration to the node 12 via the wirelesstransmitter 14 (step 1006). In other words, once the timer has expired,the node 10 permits transmission of the preference indicator for thesecond configuration to the node 12.

In this embodiment, in response to transmitting the preference indicatorfor the second configuration in step 1006, the node 10 starts a timerset to a value that defines an amount of time that must expire beforethe node 10 is permitted to transmit a preference indicator for thefirst configuration (preference indicator 1) to the node 12 (step 1008).Notably, the timer for step 1008 is preferably the same timer as usedfor steps 1002 and 1004 above but where the timer is set to a differentvalue. The value to which the timer is set can vary depending on theparticular implementation. In general, the value for the timer may beany value greater than or equal to zero. However, in one preferredembodiment, the value to which the timer is set is inversely related toa delay sensitivity of operations associated with the firstconfiguration. In other words, in one preferred embodiment, the value towhich the timer is set is a function of the preference indicator forwhich the node 10 is to block transmission until the timer has expired.As an example, if the first configuration is a normal powerconfiguration associated with operations which are delay sensitive (ordelay intolerant), then the value to which the timer is set may be small(i.e., smaller than the value used for the timer for the power efficientconfiguration). As one particular example, the value for the timer forpreference indicator for the first configuration where the firstconfiguration is associated with operations that are delay sensitive maybe zero or near zero (e.g., less than 1 second).

Once the timer is started in step 1008, the node 10 then blockstransmission of the preference indicator for the first configuration tothe node 12 until the timer started in step 1008 has expired (step1010). More specifically, events at the node 10 can trigger an attemptto transmit the preference indicator for the first configuration. Forexample, the user of the node 10 may place the node 10 in a normal mode.In response, the node 10 may attempt to transmit the preferenceindicator for the normal power configuration for the wireless connectionto the node 12. If the timer started in step 1008 has not expired, thenode 10 blocks transmission of the preference indicator for the normalpower configuration. In this manner, excessive signaling of preferenceindicators from the node 10 to the node 12 is prevented. At some point,after the timer has expired, the node 10 transmits the preferenceindicator for the first configuration to the node 12 via the wirelesstransmitter 14 (step 1012). In other words, once the timer has expired,the node 10 permits transmission of the preference indicator for thefirst configuration to the node 12. The process may then continue in themanner described above.

As discussed above, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment where the timer(s)is(are) started in response to transmission of a preference indicatorfrom the node 10 to the node 12. However, in another embodiment, thetimer(s) can be started in response to reception, by the node 10, of areconfiguration request associated with a preference indicator from thenode 12. Thus, in one embodiment, the timer(s) may be started inresponse to either transmission of a preference indicator by the node 10or reception of a reconfiguration request associated with a preferenceindicator by the node 10. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2,the node 10 receives a reconfiguration request associated with thepreference indicator for the first configuration (preference indicator1) from the node 12 via the wireless receiver 16 of the node 10 (step2000). The node 10 then reconfigures itself for the first configurationin response to the reconfiguration request (step 2002).

In response to receiving the reconfiguration request associated with thepreference indicator for the first configuration, the node 10 starts thetimer that is set to the value that defines the amount of time that mustexpire before the node 10 is permitted to transmit the preferenceindicator for the second configuration (preference indicator 2) to thenode 12 (step 2004). As discussed above, the value to which the timer isset can vary depending on the particular implementation. In general, thevalue for the timer may be any value greater than or equal to zero.However, in one preferred embodiment, the value to which the timer isset is inversely related to a delay sensitivity of operations associatedwith the first configuration. In other words, in one preferredembodiment, the value to which the timer is set is a function of thepreference indicator for which the node 10 is to block transmissionuntil the timer has expired. Once the timer is started, the node 10 thenblocks transmission of the preference indicator for the secondconfiguration to the node 12 until the timer started in step 2004 hasexpired (step 2006). In this manner, excessive signaling of preferenceindicators from the node 10 to the node 12 is prevented. At some point,after the timer has expired, the node 10 transmits the preferenceindicator for the second configuration to the node 12 via the wirelesstransmitter 14 (step 2008). In other words, once the timer has expired,the node 10 permits transmission of the preference indicator for thesecond configuration to the node 12.

In this embodiment, in response to transmitting the preference indicatorfor the second configuration in step 2008 (or alternatively receiving areconfiguration request associated with the preference indicator for thesecond configuration from the node 12), the node 10 starts the timer setto the value that defines the amount of time that must expire before thenode 10 is permitted to transmit the preference indicator for the firstconfiguration (preference indicator 1) to the node 12 (step 2010).Again, the value to which the timer is set can vary depending on theparticular implementation. In general, the value for the timer may beany value greater than or equal to zero. However, in one preferredembodiment, the value to which the timer is set is inversely related toa delay sensitivity of operations associated with the firstconfiguration. In other words, in one preferred embodiment, the value towhich the timer is set is a function of the preference indicator forwhich the node 10 is to block transmission until the timer has expired.Once the timer is started in step 2010, the node 10 then blockstransmission of the preference indicator for the first configuration tothe node 12 until the timer started in step 2010 has expired (step2012). In this manner, excessive signaling of preference indicators fromthe node 10 to the node 12 is prevented. At some point, after the timerhas expired, the node 10 transmits the preference indicator for thefirst configuration to the node 12 via the wireless transmitter 14 (step2014). In other words, once the timer has expired, the node 10 permitstransmission of the preference indicator for the first configuration tothe node 12. The process may then continue in the manner describedabove.

While FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate embodiments that are applicable to anytype of nodes 10 and 12 equipped with wireless transmitters 14 and 18and wireless receivers 16 and 20, FIGS. 3 through 9 illustrateembodiments in which excessive signaling of assistance information in acellular communications network 22 is avoided. For these embodiments,the cellular communications network 22 is preferably a 3GPP LTE cellularcommunications network. However, it should be appreciated that thesystems and methods disclosed herein can also be used for other types ofcellular communications networks. In this regard, FIG. 3 illustrates abase station (BS) 24 and a wireless device (WD) 26 in the cellularcommunications network 22. For LTE, the base station 24 is also referredto as an eNB, and the wireless device 26 is also referred to as a UE.Note that the base station 24 may alternatively be a low power basestation (e.g., a pico or femto base station).

FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the wireless device 26 of FIG. 3 tosignal assistance information to the base station 24 in a manner thatavoids excessive signaling according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As illustrated, the wireless device 26 transmits apreference indicator for a power efficient configuration to the basestation 24 (step 3000). The preference indicator for the power efficientconfiguration is preferably a preference indicator for a power efficientDRX configuration, which is preferably associated with one or more delayinsensitive, or delay tolerant, operations. In particular embodiments,the power efficient configuration represents a configuration in whichthe UE consumes less power and/or otherwise operates in a more powerefficient manner than a normal configuration (such as a defaultconfiguration) under which the UE would otherwise operate. In oneembodiment, the preference indicator for the power efficientconfiguration is one of a predefined set of preference indicatorsincluding the preference indicator for the power efficient configurationand a preference indicator for a normal, or default, powerconfiguration. Further, while the preference indicator may betransmitted using any suitable mechanism, in one embodiment, thepreference indicator is transmitted via a Radio Resource Control (RRC)or Media Access Control (MAC) message.

While not illustrated, the base station 24 utilizes the preferenceindicator from the wireless device 26 to decide whether to reconfigurethe wireless connection. In one preferred embodiment, the base station24 utilizes the preference indicator from the wireless device 26 toselect one set of DRX parameters from multiple predefined sets of DRXparameters that are suitable for different types of services, e.g.,Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), video telephony, gaming, webbrowsing, etc. Note, however, that the base station 24 does notnecessarily reconfigure the wireless connection in response to receptionof the preference indicator. The decision of the base station 24 may bemade based on additional factors.

In response to transmitting the preference indicator for the powerefficient configuration to the base station 24, the wireless device 26starts a timer that is set to a value that defines an amount of timethat must expire before the wireless device 26 is permitted to transmitthe preference indicator for the normal power configuration to the basestation 24 (step 3002). The preference indicator for the normal powerconfiguration is preferably a preference indicator for a normal powerDRX configuration, which is preferably associated with one or more delaysensitive, or delay intolerant, operations. The value to which the timeris set can vary depending on the particular implementation. In general,the value for the timer may be any value greater than or equal to zero.However, in one preferred embodiment, the value to which the timer isset is inversely related to a delay sensitivity of operations associatedwith the normal power configuration. In this embodiment, the normalpower configuration is associated with one or more operations that aredelay sensitive and, as such, the value to which the timer is set issmall (i.e., smaller than a value that would be used for the powerefficient configuration). As an example, the value to which the timer isset in step 3002 may be zero or some value near zero (e.g., a value thatis less than 1 second). In this manner, when a triggering event occursfor switching from the power efficient configuration to the normal powerconfiguration, there will be a small or no delay before transmitting thepreference indicator for the normal power configuration to the basestation 24.

Once the timer is started, the wireless device 26 then blockstransmission of the preference indicator for the normal powerconfiguration to the base station 24 until the timer started in step3002 has expired (step 3004). More specifically, events at the wirelessdevice 26 can trigger an attempt to transmit the preference indicatorfor the normal power configuration. For example, a user of the wirelessdevice 26 may switch the wireless device 26 from a power efficient modeof operation to a normal power mode of operation. In response, thewireless device 26 attempts to transmit the preference indicator for thenormal power configuration. If the timer started in step 3002 has notexpired, the wireless device 26 blocks transmission of the preferenceindicator for the normal power configuration. In this manner, excessivesignaling of preference indicators from the wireless device 26 to thebase station 24 is prevented. At some point, after the timer hasexpired, the wireless device 26 transmits the preference indicator forthe normal power configuration to the base station 24 (step 3006). Inother words, once the timer has expired, the wireless device 26 permitstransmission of the preference indicator for the normal powerconfiguration to the base station 24.

In this embodiment, in response to transmitting the preference indicatorfor the normal power configuration in step 3006, the wireless device 26starts a timer set to a value that defines an amount of time that mustexpire before the wireless device 26 is permitted to transmit thepreference indicator for the power efficient configuration to the basestation 24 (step 3008). Notably, the timer for step 3008 is preferablythe same timer as used for steps 3002 and 3004 above but is set to adifferent value. The value to which the timer is set can vary dependingon the particular implementation. In general, the value for the timermay be any value greater than or equal to zero. However, in onepreferred embodiment, the value to which the timer is set is inverselyrelated to a delay sensitivity of operations associated with the powerefficient configuration. In this embodiment, the one or more operationsassociated with the power efficient configuration are delay insensitiveand, as such, the value to which the timer is set is large (i.e., largerthan the value that is used for the normal power configuration). As anexample, the value to which the timer is set in step 3008 may be tens orhundreds of seconds.

Once the timer is started in step 3008, the wireless device 26 thenblocks transmission of the preference indicator for the power efficientconfiguration to the base station 24 until the timer started in step3008 has expired (step 3010). More specifically, events at the wirelessdevice 26 can trigger an attempt to transmit the preference indicatorfor the power efficient configuration. For example, the user of thewireless device 26 may switch the wireless device 26 from the normalmode of operation to the power efficient mode of operation. In response,the wireless device 26 attempts to transmit the preference indicator forthe power efficient configuration for the wireless connection. If thetimer started in step 3008 has not expired, the wireless device 26blocks transmission of the preference indicator for the power efficientconfiguration. In this manner, excessive signaling of preferenceindicators from the wireless device 26 to the base station 24 isprevented. At some point, after the timer has expired, the wirelessdevice 26 transmits the preference indicator for the power efficientconfiguration to the base station 24 (step 3012). In other words, oncethe timer has expired, the wireless device 26 permits transmission ofthe preference indicator for the power efficient configuration to thebase station 24. The process may then continue in the manner describedabove.

As discussed above, FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment where the timer(s)is(are) started in response to transmission of a preference indicatorfrom the wireless device 26 to the base station 24. However, in anotherembodiment, the timer(s) can be started in response to reception, by thewireless device 26, of a reconfiguration request associated with apreference indicator from the base station 24. Thus, in one embodiment,the timer(s) may be started in response to either transmission of apreference indicator or reception of a reconfiguration requestassociated with a preference indicator.

Before proceeding, it should be noted that the preference indicators forthe power efficient and normal power configurations may be part of alarger set of preference indicators. Each preference indicator maycorrespond to a different set of configuration parameter values at thebase station 24. In this case, the timer or different timers may be setto different values and may be utilized to block excessive transmissionof the other preference indicators as desired. However, in oneembodiment, no timer may be used for one or more of the preferenceindicators. In other words, it is not necessary for the timer or someother timer to be used to block excessive signaling for all of thepreference indicators in the predefined set.

FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate the operation of the wireless device 26 ofFIG. 3 to avoid excessive signaling of assistance information accordingto another embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiments ofFIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate a more detailed embodiment in which thewireless device 26 blocks excessive signaling of assistance informationincluding preference indicators utilizing an assistance informationprocedure that either blocks transmission of the assistance informationor initiates transmission of the assistance information based on acorresponding timer. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, thewireless device 26 establishes a connection to the base station 24 (step4000). The wireless device 26 can establish the connection to the basestation 24 using a random access procedure or any other suitableprocedure.

Once connected, the wireless device 26 receives configurationinformation including one or more timer values from the base station 24(step 4002). The configuration information includes any suitableconfiguration information for the wireless connection between thewireless device 26 and the base station 24 such as, for example, aninitial set of DRX parameter values. In addition, the configurationinformation includes one or more timer values to be utilized by thewireless device 26 to block excessive signaling of assistanceinformation, as discussed below.

In response to an appropriate triggering event, the wireless device 26initiates an assistance information procedure (step 4004). Thetriggering event is generally any event that causes the wireless device26 to attempt to transmit assistance information, including a powerpreference indicator, to the base station 24. For example, thetriggering event may be user input from a user of the wireless device 26that switches the wireless device 26 from a normal power mode to a powerefficient mode or vice versa. As another example, the triggering eventmay be terminating a delay sensitive application (e.g., ending a VoIPsession) while a delay insensitive application (e.g., a socialnetworking application) remains active. Note, however, that thesetriggering events are only examples. As will be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art, the triggering events for the assistanceinformation procedure will vary depending on the particularimplementation of the wireless device 26.

Once initiated, the wireless device 26 performs the assistanceinformation procedure (step 4006). As discussed below in detail, byperforming the assistance information procedure, the wireless device 26determines whether to block or permit transmission of assistanceinformation. In this example, using the assistance informationprocedure, the wireless device 26 decides to permit transmission ofassistance information. As a result, the wireless device 26 transmitsassistance information including a power preference indicator to thebase station 24 (step 4008). While not illustrated, the base station 24decides whether to reconfigure the wireless connection (e.g., the DRXparameters) for the wireless device 26 based on the power preferenceindictor in the assistance information.

Sometime after transmitting the assistance information, the wirelessdevice 26 again initiates the assistance information procedure inresponse to a triggering event (step 4010). Again, the triggering eventis generally any event that causes the wireless device 26 to attempt totransmit assistance information, including a power preference indicator,to the base station 24. Once the assistance information procedure isinitiated, the wireless device 26 performs the assistance informationprocedure to decide whether to block or permit transmission ofassistance information (step 4012). In this example, using theassistance information procedure, the wireless device 26 decides toblock transmission of assistance information (step 4014). This processthen continues.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart that illustrates the assistance informationprocedure of steps 4006 and 4012 of FIG. 5 in more detail according toone embodiment of the present disclosure. Once the assistanceinformation procedure is initiated, the wireless device 26 determineswhether the wireless device 26 is configured to transmit assistanceinformation (step 5000). More specifically, some base stations 24 maypermit transmission of assistance information while other base stations24 do not. As such, the configuration information received by thewireless device 26 in step 4002 of FIG. 5 may include an indication ofwhether the wireless device 26 is configured to transmit assistanceinformation. If the wireless device is not configured to transmitassistance information, the process ends, in which case no assistanceinformation is transmitted.

If the wireless device 26 is configured to transmit assistanceinformation, the wireless device 26 determines whether the wirelessdevice 26 has transmitted a power preference indicator since thewireless device 26 was configured to transmit assistance information(step 5002). If not, the process proceeds to step 5010 where thewireless device 26 initiates transmission of assistance information.However, if the wireless device 26 has transmitted a power preferenceindicator since the wireless device 26 was configured to transmitassistance information, the wireless device 26 determines whether apower preference indicator that the wireless device 26 desires totransmit (i.e., a current power preference indicator) is different thana most recent power preference indicator transmitted by the wirelessdevice 26 (step 5004). If so, the wireless device 26 determines whethera timer has expired (step 5006). As discussed below, the timer wasstarted in response to a previous transmission of a power preferenceindicator by the wireless device 26 or, alternatively, in response toreceiving a reconfiguration request associated with a power preferenceindicator. If the timer has not expired, then the wireless device 26blocks transmission of assistance information including the currentpower preference indicator (step 5008), and then the process ends.However, if the timer has expired, then the wireless device 26 initiatestransmission of assistance information including the current powerpreference indicator (step 5010).

Returning to step 5004, if the current power preference indicator is notdifferent than the most recent power preference indicator transmitted bythe wireless device 26, the wireless device 26 then determines whetherthe wireless device 26 has transmitted a power preference indicatorduring the last 1 second(s) preceding reception of anRRCConnectionReconfiguration including mobilityControlInfo (step 5012).If not, the wireless device 26 blocks transmission of assistanceinformation including the current power preference indicator (step5008). Otherwise, the wireless device 26 initiates transmission ofassistance information including the current power preference indicator(step 5010). Notably, the decision of step 5012 is beneficial inscenarios where, for example, the wireless device 26 transmittedassistance information including a power preference indicator to aprevious base station 24 just prior to handover to the base station 24.In that case, it may be beneficial to repeat transmission of the samepower preference indicator to the base station 24 after the handover.

FIG. 7 illustrates an assistance information transmission processperformed by the wireless device 26 in response to initiatingtransmission of assistance information in step 5010 of FIG. 6 accordingto one embodiment of the present disclosure. First, the wireless device26 determines whether the current power preference indicator for thewireless device 26 is the indicator for the power efficientconfiguration (step 6000). If not, the current power preferenceindicator is the preference indicator for the normal powerconfiguration. As such, the wireless device 26 starts the timer with avalue that defines an amount of time that must expire before thewireless device 26 is permitted to transmit assistance informationincluding the preference indicator for the power efficient configuration(step 6002). The value for the timer is preferably communicated to thewireless device 26 from the base station 24 as part of the configurationinformation received in step 4002 of FIG. 5 and is inversely related tothe delay sensitivity of one or more operations associated with thepower efficient configuration. The wireless device 26 also sets a powerpreference indicator within user information to be transmitted to thepreference indicator for the normal power configuration and thentransmits the assistance information (steps 6004 and 6006). The powerpreference indicator may be set by setting one or more bits within theassistance information. Further, the assistance information may betransmitted using any suitable mechanism such as, for example, an RRC orMAC message.

Returning to step 6000, if the current power preference indicator is thepreference indicator for the power efficient configuration, the wirelessdevice 26 optionally starts the timer with a value that defines anamount of time that must expire before the wireless device 26 ispermitted to transmit the preference indicator for the default, ornormal, power configuration (step 6008). The value for the timer isinversely related to the delay sensitivity of one or more operationsassociated with the normal power configuration. In this embodiment, thenormal power configuration is associated with one or more operations(e.g., VoIP) that are delay sensitive, or delay intolerant and, as such,the value to which the timer is set is small or even zero. In oneembodiment, the value for the amount of time that must expire before thewireless device 26 is permitted to transmit the preference indicator forthe normal power configuration is zero and, as such, step 6008 may notneed to be performed. Particularly if the value for the timer is anon-zero value, the value for the timer is preferably communicated tothe wireless device 26 from the base station 24 as part of theconfiguration information received in step 4002 of FIG. 5. The wirelessdevice 26 sets the power preference indicator within the assistanceinformation to the preference indicator for the power efficientconfiguration and then transmits the assistance information (steps 6010and 6006).

To illustrate the processes of FIGS. 6 and 7, consider a scenario wherethe wireless device 26 transmits assistance information including thepreference indicator for the normal power configuration. Since switchingto the power efficient configuration is not time sensitive, the timer isset to a relatively large value (e.g., tens or hundreds of seconds) inresponse to transmitting the assistance information including thepreference indicator. Thereafter, in response to a triggering event, thewireless device 26 initiates the assistance information process of FIG.6. If the triggering event is associated with a preference indicator forthe power efficient configuration, the wireless device 26 determinesthat the current power preference indicator (i.e., the indicator for thepower efficient configuration) is different than the most recentpreference indicator transmitted by the wireless device 26 (i.e., theindicator for the normal power configuration). As such, the wirelessdevice 26 then determines whether the timer has expired. If not,transmission of assistance information including the current powerpreference indicator is blocked. However, if the timer has expired, thewireless device 26 initiates the transmission process of FIG. 7.

If the transmission process is initiated, the wireless device 26determines that the current power preference indicator is for the powerefficient configuration. Assuming in this example that the value for thetimer for blocking transmission of the preference indicator for thenormal power configuration is zero, the wireless device 26 does not needto set and start the timer (which is equivalent to starting the timerwith a value of zero). The wireless device 26 then sets the powerpreference indicator in the assistance information to be transmitted tothe preference indicator for the power preference indicator andtransmits the assistance information to the base station 24.

Subsequently, when the assistance information procedure is triggered byan event associated with the preference indicator for the normal powerconfiguration, the assistance information procedure initiatestransmission of assistance information because the current preferenceindicator is different than the most recent preference indicatortransmitted by the wireless device 26 (i.e., the preference indicatorfor the power efficient configuration) and the timer has expired. As aresult, using the transmission process of FIG. 7, the wireless device 26starts the timer with the value that defines the amount of time thatmust expire before transmission of the preference indicator for thepower efficient configuration, sets the power preference indicator ofthe assistance information to the indicator for the normal powerconfiguration, and transmits the assistance information. The processthen continues in this manner.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the wireless device 26 of FIG. 3 accordingto one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, thewireless device 26 includes a radio subsystem 28 having a wirelesstransmitter 30 and a wireless receiver 32 (i.e., a radio frequency (RF)transmitter 30 and a RF receiver 32) and a processing subsystem 34. Thewireless transmitter 30 and the wireless receiver 32 include analog and,in some embodiments, digital components for sending and receiving datato and from the base station 24 (FIG. 3). From a wireless communicationsprotocol view, the radio subsystem 28 implements at least part of Layer1 (i.e., the Physical or “PHY” Layer).

The processing subsystem 34 generally implements any remaining portionof Layer 1 as well as functions for higher layers in the wirelesscommunications protocol (e.g., Layer 2 (data link layer), Layer 3(network layer), etc.). In particular embodiments, the processingsubsystem 34 may comprise, for example, one or several general-purposeor special-purpose microprocessors or other microcontrollers programmedwith suitable software and/or firmware to carry out some or all of thefunctionality of the wireless device 26 described herein. In addition oralternatively, the processing subsystem 34 may comprise various digitalhardware blocks (e.g., one or more Application Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), one or more off-the-shelf digital and analog hardwarecomponents, or a combination thereof) configured to carry out some orall of the functionality of the wireless device 26 described herein.Additionally, in particular embodiments, the above-describedfunctionality of the wireless device 26 may be implemented, in whole orin part, by the processing subsystem 34 executing software or otherinstructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, suchas Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), a magneticstorage device, an optical storage device, or any other suitable type ofdata storage components. Of course, the detailed operation for each ofthe functional protocol layers, and thus the radio subsystem 28 and theprocessing subsystem 34, will vary depending on both the particularimplementation as well as the standard or standards supported by thewireless device 26.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the base station 24 of FIG. 3 according toone embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the basestation 24 includes a radio subsystem 36 having a wireless transmitter38 (i.e. a RF transmitter) and a wireless receiver 40 (i.e., a RFreceiver) and a processing subsystem 42. The wireless transmitter 38 andthe wireless receiver 40 generally include analog and, in someembodiments, digital components for sending and receiving data to andfrom wireless devices (e.g., the wireless device 26) within thecorresponding cell. From a wireless communications protocol view, theradio subsystem 36 implements at least part of Layer 1 (i.e., thePhysical or “PHY” Layer).

The processing subsystem 42 generally implements any remaining portionof Layer 1 not implemented in the radio subsystem 36 as well asfunctions for higher layers in the wireless communications protocol(e.g., Layer 2 (data link layer), Layer 3 (network layer), etc.). Inparticular embodiments, the processing subsystem 42 may comprise, forexample, one or several general-purpose or special-purposemicroprocessors or other microcontrollers programmed with suitablesoftware and/or firmware to carry out some or all of the functionalityof the base station 24 described herein. In addition or alternatively,the processing subsystem 42 may comprise various digital hardware blocks(e.g., one or more ASICs, one or more off-the-shelf digital and analoghardware components, or a combination thereof) configured to carry outsome or all of the functionality of the base station 24 describedherein. Additionally, in particular embodiments, the above describedfunctionality of the base station 24 may be implemented, in whole or inpart, by the processing subsystem 42 executing software or otherinstructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, suchas RAM, ROM, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, orany other suitable type of data storage components.

The following acronyms are used throughout this disclosure.

3GPP 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project ASIC Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit BS Base Station DRX Discontinuous Reception eDDAEnhancements for Diverse Data Applications eNB eNodeB E-UTRAN EvolvedUniversal Terrestrial Radio Access Network LTE Long Term Evolution MACMedia Access Control RAM Random Access Memory RAN Radio Access NetworkRel-11 Release 11 RF Radio Frequency ROM Read Only Memory RRC RadioResource Control RX Receive or Receiver SAE System ArchitectureEvolution TS Technical Specification TX Transmit or Transmitter UE UserEquipment or User Element VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol WCDMAWideband Code Division Multiple Access WD Wireless Device WG2 Work Group2 WI Work Item

Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modificationsto the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All suchimprovements and modifications are considered within the scope of theconcepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of operation of a wireless device in acellular communications network, the wireless device comprising awireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, the method comprising:identifying a preference for a first configuration impacting powerconsumption of the wireless device; starting a timer in response toidentifying the preference for the first configuration; transmitting apreference indicator for the first configuration via the wirelesstransmitter, the timer being set to a value that defines an amount oftime before the wireless device is permitted to transmit a preferenceindicator for a second configuration impacting power consumption of thewireless device, the second configuration being different than the firstconfiguration; and blocking transmission of the preference indicator forthe second configuration until the timer has expired.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the value that defines the amount of time before thewireless device is permitted to transmit the preference indicator forthe second configuration is inversely related to a delay sensitivity ofoperations associated with the second configuration.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: identifying a preference for the secondconfiguration; setting a preference indicator to indicate the preferencefor the second configuration; and transmitting the preference indicatorfor the second configuration via the wireless transmitter after thetimer has expired.
 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:identifying a preference for the first configuration; restarting thetimer, the timer set to the value that defines the amount of time beforethe wireless device is permitted to transmit the preference indicatorfor the second configuration impacting power consumption of the wirelessdevice in response to identifying the preference for the firstconfiguration; and blocking transmission of the preference indicator forthe second configuration impacting power consumption of the wirelessdevice until the timer has expired.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein thevalue that defines the amount of time before the wireless device ispermitted to transmit the preference indicator for the firstconfiguration is different than the value that defines the amount oftime before the wireless device is permitted to transmit the preferenceindicator for the second configuration.
 6. The method of claim 4wherein: the timer set to the value that defines the amount of timebefore the wireless device is permitted to transmit the preferenceindicator for the first configuration is the same timer set to the valuethat defines the amount of time before the wireless device is permittedto transmit the preference indicator for the second configuration; andthe value that defines the amount of time before the wireless device ispermitted to transmit the preference indicator for the firstconfiguration is different than the value that defines the amount oftime before the wireless device is permitted to transmit the preferenceindicator for the second configuration.
 7. The method of claim 4 furthercomprising transmitting the preference indicator for the firstconfiguration via the wireless transmitter after the timer set to thevalue that defines the amount of time before the wireless device ispermitted to transmit the preference indicator for the firstconfiguration has expired.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein thepreference indicator for the first configuration is a preferenceindicator for a normal power configuration, and the preference indicatorfor the second configuration is a preference indicator for a powerefficient configuration, and wherein the wireless device consumes lesspower during operation when operating in the power efficientconfiguration than when operating in the normal power configuration. 9.The method of claim 8 wherein the normal power configuration and thepower efficient configuration are configurations for a discontinuousreception mode of operation of the wireless device while in a connectedstate.
 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising transmitting thepreference indicator for the power efficient configuration via thewireless transmitter after the timer has expired.
 11. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the preference indicator for the first configuration isa preference indicator for a power efficient configuration, and thepreference indicator for the second configuration is a preferenceindicator for a normal power configuration, and wherein the wirelessdevice consumes less power during operation when operating in the powerefficient configuration.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the normalpower configuration and the power efficient configuration areconfigurations for a discontinuous reception mode of operation of thewireless device while in a connected state.
 13. The method of claim 11further comprising transmitting the preference indicator for the normalpower configuration via the wireless transmitter after the timer hasexpired.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: identifying apreference for the normal power configuration prior to transmitting thepreference indicator for the normal power configuration; starting thetimer set to the value that defines the amount of time before thewireless device is permitted to transmit the preference indicator forthe power efficient configuration in response to identifying thepreference for the normal power configuration; and blocking transmissionof the preference indicator for the power efficient configuration untilthe timer set to the value that defines the amount of time before thewireless device is permitted to transmit the preference indicator forthe power efficient configuration has expired.
 15. The method of claim14 further comprising transmitting the preference indicator for thepower efficient configuration via the wireless transmitter after thetimer set to the value that defines the amount of time before thewireless device is permitted to transmit the preference indicator forthe power efficient configuration has expired.
 16. The method of claim 1wherein blocking transmission of the preference indicator for the secondconfiguration until the timer has expired comprises: initiating anassistance information procedure; and performing the assistanceinformation procedure to determine whether to block or initiatetransmission of assistance information including a preference indicatorfor a desired power configuration.
 17. The method of claim 16 whereinperforming the assistance information procedure comprises: determiningwhether the preference indicator for the desired power configuration isthe preference indicator for the second configuration, which isdifferent than the preference indicator for the first configuration; andif the preference indictor for the desired power configuration is thepreference indicator for the second configuration: determining whetherthe timer has expired; if the timer has not expired, blockingtransmission of the assistance information including the preferenceindicator for the second configuration; and if the timer has expired,initiating transmission of the assistance information including thepreference indicator for the second configuration.
 18. The method ofclaim 17 further comprising, in response to initiating transmission ofthe assistance information: determining whether the preference indicatorfor the second configuration is a preference indicator for a powerefficient configuration; and if the preference indicator is thepreference indicator for the power efficient configuration: setting apower preference indicator for the assistance information to thepreference indicator for the power efficient configuration; andtransmitting the assistance information comprising the power preferenceindicator via the wireless transmitter.
 19. The method of claim 18wherein the preference indicator for the first configuration is apreference indicator for a normal power configuration, and thepreference indicator for the second configuration is the preferenceindicator for the power efficient configuration, and wherein thewireless device consumes less power during operation when operating inthe power efficient configuration than when operating in the normalpower configuration.
 20. The method of claim 1 wherein the value thatdefines the amount of time before the wireless device is permitted totransmit the preference indicator for the second configuration isgreater than or equal to zero.
 21. The method of claim 1 wherein thevalue that defines the amount of time before the wireless device ispermitted to transmit the preference indicator for the secondconfiguration is greater than zero.
 22. A wireless device in a cellularcommunications network, comprising: a wireless transmitter; a wirelessreceiver; and a processing subsystem associated with the wirelesstransmitter and the wireless receiver configured to: identify apreference for a first configuration; impacting power consumption of thewireless device start a timer in response to identifying the preferencefor the first configuration; transmit a preference indicator for thefirst configuration via the wireless transmitter, the timer being set toa value that defines an amount of time before the wireless device ispermitted to transmit a preference indicator for a second configurationimpacting power consumption of the wireless device; and blocktransmission of the preference indicator for the second configurationuntil the timer has expired.